Apparatus for the registration of weight

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns an apparatus for registering weight and/or water content of fit and sick individuals, where the apparatus includes a weighing cell including at least two electric conducting plates on which is applied a voltage from a power supply, and that the at least two electric conducting plates are disposed with mutually opposite faces and with adjustable spacing, so that an individual or a well-defined part of the individual may be placed between the at least two electric conducting plates. and a measuring unit including means for registering the change in capacity between the at least two electric conducting plates and means for converting the capacity change into a numerical number which is correlated with the weight and/or the water content of the individual.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus for registering weightand/or water content in fit and sick individuals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The basic idea behind the invention comes from the agricultural sectorwhere disadvantages have been found by the existing methods for weightdetermination of individuals on different stages of the growth period.

Subsequently, in the period of development, other areas of applicationhave been found, as e.g. the health sector, where there are drawbacks bythe existing methods for water content determination of individuals ondifferent stages of a period of sickness.

In the agricultural sector, it is important for the farmers raisinganimals for slaughter to get the greatest possible growth rate from theamount of feed used simultaneously with providing for the environment bye.g. reducing the discharge of nitrogen.

Experience shows that the optimal feeding of the single animal forgrowing as fast as possible without achieving an undesirable large fatpercentage is to provide it with feed with a content of energy andprotein suitable for the growth stage of the animal during the growthperiod.

The feed may e.g. contain different amounts of grain, proteins,vitamins, minerals and/or drugs.

It will be optimal that the farmer keeps a close eye on the weight ofthe animal, so that the ratio between the feed grade/protein level, andthe growth of the animal is registered whereby the composition and feedamount may be adjusted.

In order to achieve maximum optimisation in growth of an animal in itsentire growth period, it is necessary that the animal is weighed atleast once a day, and that this measurement is compared with thedispensed amount of feed and feed grade and protein level.

For weighing loose animals, there are used types of weighing apparatusesthat are typically designed with a plate on weigh cells and a cage forkeeping the animal on the plate during weighing.

A number of weighing systems are described in patent publications as WO01/17340, WO 98/47351, U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,719 and GB 2,220,834 that mayidentify an animal walking on a weight and where the result is used forspecial feeding of single individuals.

The problem with the above types of weights is that they are veryexpensive and the weight installation requires some space and somemaintenance as they are continually placed in an aggressive stableenvironment.

There is described an apparatus in DE-A1-44 32 849 where the mass of anitem may be determined. The drawback of this apparatus is that itssystem of a measuring cell and a coil in a oscillatory circuit cannot beused for measuring conducting items, as e.g. living individuals, as theoscillator of the apparatus will stop swinging if an electric conductingitem passes the measuring cell.

In the health sector it is important to register the water content of apatient for e.g. diagnosis at dehydration of the patient or byaccumulation of water in the patient's body, so that a real treatment ofthe patient may be performed.

Today, diagnosis occurs on the basis of the symptoms displayed by thepatient, which is at a time where the patient has advanced into theperiod of sickness.

Therefore, it would be optimal if it was possible at an early time inthe period of sickness to perform a sure diagnosis forming basis of atreatment, and subsequently check this diagnosis at regular timeintervals by means of a registration apparatus.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to provide anapparatus which is mechanically simple, cleaning friendly, exact andcheap to produce, and which enables performing a frequent registrationof either weight or water content of an individual.

According to the present invention, this is achieved with an apparatusof the kind mentioned in the introduction, and where the apparatusincludes a measuring cell including at least two electric conductingplates on which is applied a voltage from a power supply, and that theat least two electric conducting plates are disposed with mutuallyopposite faces and with adjustable spacing, so that an individual or awell-defined part of the individual may be placed between the at leasttwo electric conducting plates, and a measuring unit including means forregistering the change in capacity between the at least two electricconducting plates and means for converting the capacity change into anumerical number which is correlated with the weight and/or the watercontent of the individual.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the disclosure below is described how the apparatus according to thepresent invention is either used for weight determination of a pig orfor registration of a water content/weight of a human.

The invention may, however, be used in various other situations, as forexample:

-   -   weighing animals at the veterinary,    -   weighing wild and/or aggressive animals in e.g. zoological        gardens,    -   weighing of whole or cut up animals in slaughterhouses,    -   weighing individuals that cannot be moved due to old age,        injuries or sickness in old people's homes, hospitals or the        like.

In the subsequent description concerning the application of the presentinvention in the agricultural sector, the following expressions are usedand are to be understood as:

-   -   Feed grade: As the feed is a mixture of grain, vitamins,        minerals and/or drugs, the decisive element is not so much the        amount of feed as the feed grade which is dependent on the        amount of proteins and energy in the feed.    -   Feed unit: A certain amount of feed with a certain feed grade        corresponds to one feed unit Typically, a pig, for example, is        to have 2.2 feed units a day immediately before being ready for        slaughtering.

If the apparatus is used in the agricultural sector, the measuring cellis adjustable so that the distance and the angle between the two platescan be changed. This enables e.g. preventing several pigs at a time fromstanding in the measuring cell.

By adjusting the distance and/or the angle between the two plates, thecontrol of the measuring cell is to be calibrated in order to weigh thepig sufficiently exactly. As the dielectric constant of water is known,calibration of the measuring cell may typically be performed with abottle of water containing a certain amount of water.

Alternatively, the two plates of the measuring cell may be provided sothat there are a number of pre-determined setting possibilities for theangle and/or the distance between the plates. This provides for thecontrol of the measuring cell not to be calibrated every time the angleand/or the distance is changed, as the control is preprogrammed withparameters suited for each single setting possible for the angle and/orthe distance between the plates.

If the apparatus is used in the health sector, the measuring cell isalso adjustable, so that the distance and the angle between the twoplates can be changed. This means that the mutual position of the platescan be adapted to e.g. a bed, a chair or the like, in which a human maybe situated during the measurement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention for weighing pigs, themeasuring cell is designed with two electric conducting plates having asize of e.g. 800×1000 mm, where, by applying a voltage, typically a highfrequency voltage, the measuring cell will act as a condensator, thecapacity of which being dependent on the plate size, the distancebetween the plates and the dielectricity constant inherent of thematerial (air or animal) between the plates.

In a second, preferred embodiment of the invention for measuring humans,the measuring cell is designed with two electric conducting plateshaving a size of e.g. 500×2000 mm, at which a human may be placed,either standing or lying between the plates.

Alternatively, the two electric conducting plates are divided intocorresponding fields so that it is not possible to measure e.g. thewater content of different areas of the body.

This may be an advantage by certain diseases as e.g. pulmonary oedema,heart diseases or kidney disorders, where specific areas of the humanbody are to be examined. Furthermore, in many cases an area measurementwill mean a more precise diagnosis of the extent of the disease.

It is known that air has a dielectric constant of 1, and water has adielectric constant of 80. Since humans and animals consist of water toa great extent, one may register the dielectric constant of ananimal/human which will be closer to 80 than to 1.

This implies that when an individual is disposed between the twoelectric conducting plates, a significant and registrable change of thedielectric constant will take place.

Since it is change in capacity in the measuring cell that is registeredwhen an individual is placed between the plates, the air humidity andtemperature will have less significance for the measuring result.

In order that an electric field to appear between the at least twoelectric conducting plates by applying a voltage so that it is possibleto measure the change in capacity by placing an individual between theplates, the least two individual plates are made of an electricconducting metal alloy, preferably copper or other metal alloys, as forexample aluminium, steel and/or gold.

Alternatively, other materials as e.g. carbon and silicon quartz may beused.

In the agricultural sector it is necessary to get the pig to placeitself voluntarily between the two electric conducting plates and tostand still for a sufficiently long time for performing a weighing.

Therefore, in immediate vicinity of the two electric plates there isdisposed a dispensing unit, preferably for dispensing water, feed and/ordrugs.

Since pigs for slaughtering typically have free access to the feed, itwill therefor be possible, when a pig stands between the two plates thaton basis of registered weight it will be supplied with either water orfeed with a certain feed grade in which possibly drugs may have beenadded for combating disease.

In the health sector it is easier to get a human to place himselfvoluntarily between the two electric conducting plates for a sufficientlength of time in order to perform a weighing.

Therefore, the supplied water, feed and/or drugs are not used asallurement, but the dispensing unit may otherwise either supply thedesired amount of drugs or visually display the amount of drugscalculated on the basis of the performed measurement.

E.g. the dispensing unit may be connected to the patient's IV line sothat the exact amount of drugs may be supplied simultaneously with thesupply being controlled.

Since the electric conducting plates in the agricultural sector areplaced in surroundings where the pigs are, it is necessary to protectthe electric conducting plates against various influences from thesurroundings, as e.g. knocks from pigs running around in the pigstyand/or corrosion from the aggressive environment.

In the health sector, the electric conducting plates are also to beprotected against different actions from the surroundings, as e.g.knocks from beds, wheelchairs or the like.

Therefore, at least one of the at least two electric conducting platesis coated on at least one surface with a electric non-conductingmaterial, preferably plastic.

A plastic coating of the plates of the measuring plate. will typicallyonly take place on the faces of the plates facing each other, and theouter side of the plates may e.g. be galvanised or protected in asimilar way against the surrounding environment.

A coating and/or galvanisation furthermore imply that the plates of themeasuring cell may easily be cleaned.

In the agricultural sector it is a great advantage that they may becleaned in the same way as any other stable equipment, e.g. with a waterhose or a high-pressure cleaner and with chemicals commonly used inconnection with stable cleaning and disinfection.

In the health sector it is a requirement that all equipment can becleaned clinically so that there is no risk of transferring infectionfrom one patient to another patient.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention for the agricultural sector,the two plates of the measuring cell are placed largely upright withmutually facing surfaces so that the pig, when desiring feed or water,may go in between the two plates.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plates of themeasuring cell are placed so that the pig go in on one plate while theother plate is hanging above the first plate at an adjustable level.

It may be an advantage by desiring measurement of more individuals at atime, for example when desiring measurement of a whole litter ofpiglets. Such an embodiment, however, puts demands on the plate on whichthe pigs are to wall/lie on. It is to be designed of a strong anddurable material with a strong and wear-resisting coating.

By furthermore heating the lower plate to the comfort temperature of thepiglets, the piglets may even prefer to stay on/in the weighingapparatus.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention for the health sector, thetwo plates of the measuring cell are disposed largely upright withsurfaces facing each other so that e.g. a wheelchair with a patient maybe rolled in between the two plates.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the plates of themeasuring cell are disposed so that one plate is e.g. incorporated in abed while the other plate is suspended in the ceiling.

This provides the possibility that e.g. on a hospital/old people's home,only one suspended plate is provided, while all beds are equipped withan integrated plate so that the patient is rolled in under the suspendedplate when a measurement is to be performed.

In order to register the change in capacity, the means of the measuringunit for registering the change in capacity between the at least twoelectric conducting plates of the measuring cell are one or more of thefollowing components: measuring bridge and/or potentiometric set-up.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a measuring bridge isused, where the use of a measuring bridge provides possibility of even asmall change in capacity between the least two electric conductingplates may provide a significant measuring result, as the results of themeasuring bridge are based on the vector length and the phase shiftbetween two condensators in the measuring bridge.

For providing a numerical number correlated with e.g. the weight of apig, the means of the measuring bridge for converting the signal fromthe measuring cell includes one or more of the following components: atleast one signal amplifier, a voltage rectifier, a filter, a converter,an MCU-unit with a data store and/or display for displaying thenumerical number.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive means forconverting the signal from the measuring cell include the followingcomponents:

-   -   an instrumentation amplifier,    -   a voltage rectifier    -   a low-pass filter    -   an amplifier    -   an A/D converter, and    -   an MCU-unit.

These components are preferably joined in an aggregate unit where the atleast two electric conducting plates are connected.

In an embodiment of the invention, means for converting the capacitychange to a numerical number are adapted to produce a numerical numberwhich is correlated to the water percentage of the individual or toexact water content relative to the weight of the individual.

In order to provide a numerical number correlated to the individual'swater percentage, the apparatus furthermore includes an external weightunit.

In an embodiment of the invention, the weight unit is weight cells thatare e.g. connected to one of the electric conducting plates placed inthe bottom of a bed, so that the weight of the patient is measured inthe same instant as the measuring cell is activated.

Alternatively, the weight unit is an electronic weight on which theindividual is to be placed, whereafter signals from the weight is sentto the MCU-unit of the apparatus or directly to a computer that mayconvert the signals from the MCU-unit of the apparatus and the weight tousable information.

For the farmer to use the apparatus for e.g. optimising the feedconsumption in relation to the growth of the pigs, the MCU-unit of themeasuring unit is coupled to a computer for collecting the numericalnumbers in a data collecting program.

This coupling may be effected via a cable connected to one or moremeasuring cells, or it may be wireless, as e.g. Blue Tooth technology.

This makes it possible for the farmer e.g. to make statistics over kiloincrement per kilo feed and thereby optimise the feed consumption bycomparing with previously achieved results or curves over optimal growthof a pig.

It is also possible for the nursing staff in a hospital/old people'shome to e.g. make statistics for the water percentage and thereby tofollow the development in the disease by comparing previously attainedresults or curves and thereby to react when unwanted changes occurs.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit furtherincludes means for registering/indicating the individual disposedbetween the at least two electric conducting plates. These means forregistering/indication may be:

-   -   an electronic receiver that may catch a signal from e.g. an ear        chip,    -   an optical or laser reader that may read a bar code or mark,        and/or    -   a camera that may recognise the individual between the two        plates.

This means that farmer is provided a better tool for optimising the feedconsumption as it is possible to indicate weight increment of each pigrelative to the amount of feed it has received.

This means that the nursing staff on a hospital/old people's home savetime if the new data are automatically stored under the right patient'sdata folder and may readily be compared with previously registered data,whereby recognition of disease may be ascertained rapidly.

For further optimising the feed consumption, a control program in thecomputer can be designed so that the computer controls dispensing ofwater, feed and/or drugs in the dispensing unit on the basis ofindication of a single animal and the weight of the animal.

This means that each single pig in the sty can be provided feed withdifferent feed grade and/or extra addition of minerals or vitamins,whereby is achieved an optimal utilisation of feed.

Furthermore, the control program makes it possible to use the dailyweighing of a pig as a disease monitoring system, since abnormal weightloss or slow growth may be registered early.

Early in the course of illness, the pig may thus be provided therequired medicine in the feed, whereby the amount of medicine possiblycan be reduced over time.

The control program implies that the apparatus in the health sector canbe used for early recognition of disease.

As the water content in fit individuals is approximately constant, theapparatus may be used for diagnosis of dehydration or accumulation ofwater, and these data can form parameters in methods for treatment whichcan be initiated as soon as the measuring data show a deviation bycomparing e.g. curves or diagrams of normal conditions.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit isprovided on an add-on board for placing internally of a computer, whereone or more measuring cells are replaceably coupled to the add-on board.

This makes it easy to use an apparatus according to the invention sincethere is to be centrally installed a board including software, afterwhich a measuring cell is connected.

The system is to be extended since there is possibility of connectingmore measuring units for an add-on board, so that there is possibilityof comparing data from positions without having to move the measuringcell.

In order to measure accurately, the plates are made in such a size thatprovide space for entirely (absolute measurement) or partly (relativemeasurement) accommodating a pig standing between the plates of themeasuring cell, typically the plates will have a size from 800×1000 mmto 1000×1600 mm. If the apparatus is used for larger or smallerindividuals, the plate dimension can be changed.

By measuring the pig's weight and comparing with e.g. an ID numbercontaining information about time of birth or via pre-defined ageparameters, the control is to decide whether the case is an absolutemeasurement or a relative measurement, and thereby register the rightweight.

In order to avoid influence on the electric field between the plates byindividuals moving around in vicinity of the outer sides of the platesof the measuring cell, one or both plates may be equipped with a screen.

Such a screen may be one of the fixed sides in the sty/room or may beattained by juxtaposing two apparatuses, either in the same sty/room orin two different stys/rooms, where spacing between two juxtaposedelectric conducting plates constitutes the screening.

The advantage of using an apparatus according to the invention is:

-   -   that the apparatus is a simple mechanical construction and cheap        to make;    -   that the apparatus is mobile and easy to move;    -   that the apparatus may be incorporated with usual equipment in        the agricultural sector, as e.g. stable equipment in new as well        as older stables;    -   that the apparatus may be incorporated with equipment in the        health sector, as e.g. beds, wheelchairs or the like; and    -   that the apparatus is cleaning friendly and resistant against        aggressive environments.

Weighing and registering the weight of the animals in the growth periodenable:

-   -   achieving optimisation of the growth as the pig at any time in        the growth period is provided the required and right feed        mixture containing the needed amount of amino acids, vitamins,        minerals and/or drugs;    -   achieving reduction in the amount of feed used;    -   achieving reduction in the environmental load with regard to        discharge of nitrogen and the like, as the pig by being feed        with feed having suitable grade and amount will utilise a        greater part of the proteins, vitamins, minerals and/or drugs in        the feed;    -   achieving early recognition of disease and thereby correct        dosing of medicine and reduction of drug consumption;    -   individuals not being stressed during weighing;    -   achieving better animal welfare for the pigs by they having the        right amount of feed with the needed feed grade; and    -   achieving a better payment for the pigs when slaughtered, as the        running registration of weight of single individuals implies        that the pigs are delivered at the right time where they have        the weight corresponding to the greatest price.

Registration of the water content in an individual implies that earlydisease recognition may be achieved and thereby a right treatment may bestarted at an early time and possibly reduction of drug consumption maybe achieved.

Registration of the water content in an individual may furthermoreimprove existing methods of treatment. For example, measurement of thewater content of a dialysis patient may result in an optimal treatmentperiod in the dialysis apparatus.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawing, where

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of the measuring unit according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to theinvention,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to theinvention, and

FIG. 4 shows three growth curves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus 1 in FIGS. 1-4 is shown in an embodiment used in theagricultural sector for weighing e.g. pigs going untethered in a pigsty.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of the apparatus 1 that includes ameasuring cell 2 and a measuring unit 11.

By weighing a pig the following takes place:

-   -   A pig (not shown) walks into the measuring cell 2 between the at        least two electric conducting plates 12, and a change of the        dielectric constant between the at least two electric conducting        plates 12 is induced;    -   the measuring bridge 3 of the measuring unit 11 registers the        change in the dielectricity constant between the at least two        electric conducting plates 12;    -   the signal from the measuring bridge 3 goes through an        instrument amplifier 4 that separates the signal over the two        condensators of the measuring bridge from each other by angle        and vector length;    -   the signal from instrumentation amplifier 4 goes through a        loss-fre voltage rectifier 5 rectifying the signal to a DC        voltage which is proportional with the signal from the        instrumentation amplifier 4;    -   the signal from the voltage rectifier 5 goes through a low-pass        filter 6 that ensure that the signal is a pure DC voltage;    -   the signal from the low-pass filter 6 goes through an amplifier        7 enhancing the signal;    -   the signal from the amplifier 7 goes through an A/D converter 8        changing the signal from an analogous signal to a digital        signal;    -   the signal from the A/D converter 8 goes through an MCU-unit 9        (Micro Controller Unit) that performs calculation of the signal,        so that the signal coming from the MCU unit 9 corresponds to a        number correlated with the pig's weight.

The MCU unit 9 is programmed so that the correlation between thenumerical number from the MCU unit 9 and the pig's weight is typicallydirectly proportional. By weighing animals/humans under othercircumstances than a stable environment, this correlation may bedifferent.

Experiments will be necessary to find the exact correlations for thenumerical number and the unit desired to be weighed.

The numerical number from the MCU unit 9 may be collected by a datacollecting program in a connected computer 10 that may process thecollected data so that they may be used for statistics, controlling feeddispensing and/or monitoring disease.

Alternatively, the MCU unit may be coupled to an external weight unit(not shown) so that the signal coming from the MCU unit 9 corresponds toa number correlating with water content percentage.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 1 with a measuring cell 2 configured as in thepreferred embodiment of the invention, where the two electricallyconducting plates 12 of the measuring cell 2 are disposed upright withan upwards diverging angle. This angle between the plates 12 contributesto prevent more than one pig from going into the measuring cell 2 at thesame time.

The electric conducting plates 12 are designed as rectangular platesthat include a copper plate 17 coated with a plastic surface 16 and atypical galvanised rear side 18. At the end of and between the electricconducting plates 12 is disposed a dispensing bowl 13 where the pig canbe supplied with feed and/or water.

In an alternative embodiment, the copper plate 17 may be designed sothat it has a smaller area than the plate 12 itself. Typically, thecopper plate 17 will then cover the upper part of the plate 12 so thatthere is not measured in the area around the pig's toes.

The two plates 12 are connected with a coil 15 which in turn isconnected to the control unit 14 placed in immediate vicinity of themeasuring cell 2.

The control unit includes a high frequency generator (not shown) andmeans for transmission of signals (not shown) to the measuring unit (notshown). The measuring unit may be placed centrally or be incorporated inthe control unit 14.

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus 1 with a measuring cell 2 configured in analternative embodiment of the invention, where the two electricconducting plates 12 of the measuring cell are disposed with one plate12A on the floor and the other plate 12B hanging across the first plate12A. Such configuration or set-up of the measuring cell 2 enablesmeasuring e.g. an entire batch of piglets, a pig in a situation of restand/or sick animals.

A way to let the animals settle on the lower plate 12A may be that inconnection with this plate 12A, either internally or upon, there isprovided a heating mat providing the area to be warm and comfortable forthe animals.

FIG. 4 shows three growth curves, where out of the x-axis the pig's agerelative to the placing of the pig in a sty, and out of the y-axis isshown the pig's weight. It is to be noted that the three growth curvesare provided on the basis of historic data after observing the weight ofpigs.

If at an early point in the growth period one knows the tendency forgrowth of a pig it is possible by means of an enhanced feed grade tomove a pig with low growth rate to normal growth rate, or even to highgrowth rate.

Furthermore, it is possible to attain better growth curves if the pigs'weight is registered on daily basis so that the feed is adjusted to theyield of the pig, whereby these improved growth curves may contribute tofurther optimisation of raising pigs.

As alternative to the free growth curves shown, the graph may insteadshow a curve with liquid content per kilo body, or a curve withdistribution of liquid in the body, so it is possible to compare datafrom registration with the apparatus and e.g. show liquid displacements,dehydration or accumulation of water.

1. Apparatus for registering weight and/or water content of fit and sickindividuals, wherein the apparatus includes a measuring cell includingat least two electric conducting plates on which is applied a voltagefrom a power supply, and that the at least two electric conductingplates are disposed with mutually opposite faces and with adjustablespacing, so that an individual or a well-defined part of the individualmay be placed between the at least two electric conducting plates, and ameasuring unit including means for registering the change in capacitybetween the at least two electric conducting plates and means forconverting the capacity change into a numerical number which iscorrelated with the weight and/or the water content of the individual.2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two electricconducting plates are provided in a metal alloy, preferably copper. 3.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in immediate vicinity of the atleast two electric plates there is disposed a dispenser unit, preferablyfor dispensing water, feed and/or drugs.
 4. Apparatus according to claim1, wherein at least one of the at least two electric conducting platesis coated on at least one surface with an electric non-conductingmaterial, preferably plastic.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe means of the measuring unit for registering the capacity changebetween the at least two electric conducting plates of the measuringcell is one or more of the following components: measuring bridge and/orpotentiometric set-up.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein themeans of the measuring unit for converting the signal from the measuringcell includes one or more of the following components: at least onesignal amplifier, a voltage rectifier, a filter, a converter, anMCU-unit with a data store and/or a display for displaying the numericalnumber.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the MCU-unit of themeasuring unit is coupled to a computer for collecting the numericalnumbers in a data collecting program.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the measuring unit furthermore includes means for recognition ofthe individual disposed between the at least two electric conductingplates.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer controlsdispensing of water, feed and/or drugs in the dispensing unit on thebasis of indication of a single individual and the registered weight.10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit isprovided on an add-on board for internal disposition in a computer,where one or more measuring units are replaceably coupled to the add-onboard.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatusfurthermore includes an external weight unit.